The Best VPN for Streaming: Top Recommendations

Sure, determining the best VPN for gaming/streaming will depend partly upon your specific needs, but amidst a crowded market, it’s helpful to know which providers are the standouts. Each of our top recommended VPNs allows you to unblock streaming services with ease while preserving connection speed and fidelity.

Why Trust AddictiveTips

Our expert team has rated and compared 30+ VPNs over a decade. As technology advances, we update our rigorous testing and scoring methodologies to match it and stay relevant.

Early internet connections were sluggish and awkward, barely suitable for downloading even animated GIFs. As connection speeds increased and hardware became faster, streaming videos and movies went from an occasional thing to a daily activity. In 2014, Netflix and YouTube consumed 50% of all the internet traffic. When you add torrenting and a few other movie streaming sites, that number jumps to 64%.

Need a quick answer? These are the best VPNs for securely unblocking and streaming movies online:

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Movies – NordVPN stands out from the crowd due to its absolutely gargantuan server network, allowing you to spoof tens of thousands of IPs to bypass geoblocks and enjoy your favorite movies. Buffer-free streams, even in HD; no logging.
2. Surfshark – Encryption on every server , unlimited simultaneous connection , responsive network .
3. ExpressVPN – A bit more expensive, but offers the fastest VPN speeds you’ll find anywhere. Unblocks Netflix US like a champ.
4. CyberGhost — great for beginner , it is has has an intuitive interface and specialized server for streaming .
5. ipvanish – Your firestick ’s good friend , used heavily in the torrente community as well .
6. VyprVPN – The primary pick for anyone living in a country with heavily censored internet.
7. PureVPN – Ever wanted to spoof into Uzbekistan? You can with the widest-reaching network in terms of countries available.

Streaming videos are here to stay, and if you want to keep your activity private and secure, you need to incorporate a virtual private network into your daily routine. VPNs use data encryption to help protect your activity from bandwidth throttling, spying third parties, and information-hoarding ISPs. You can also use a VPN to access geo-restricted content to stream videos from any country in the world!

How to Choose a VPN for Streaming

Picking the best VPN for online movie streams is more complicated than just comparing speed tests. You have to take things like encryption strength into account, look at server distribution, and keep an eye on logging policies and software compatibility. There’s a lot of information to digest before you sign up, which is why we’ve made the process a little easier.

Below are the most important criteria to keep in mind when looking for the best video streaming VPNs. We used the same features to select our recommended services, ensuring you’ll always have fast and private access to HD videos and low-latency gaming no matter where you are.

• log policy – Online privacy is build upon the VPN ’s user log policy . With no log , your data is never store and ca n’t be access by third party or government agency like the 5 , 9 , and 14 eye country .
• speed – Encryption is slow can slow your internet speed by as much as 20 % . To make sure your stream video never stutter , we is selected ’ve select the fast vpn that deliver top speed without sacrifice privacy .
• Server network – Your physical location within the VPN server network determines the lag you’ll encounter—closer means less lag. It also lets you select from a larger list of virtual locations so you can stream videos from other countries.
• block file types is block – low – quality vpn often block P2P network and torrent traffic , both of which are frequently used to download and stream video . All is allow of our recommendation below allow all type of traffic without exception .
• Bandwidth restrictions – Streaming video eats up a ton of bandwidth. To ensure your stream doesn’t end in the middle of the movie, our recommended VPNs have unlimited bandwidth with no throttling or other restrictions. Just like with streaming, unlimited bandwidth is also important when looking for the best VPN for gaming.
• device compatibility – video streams is are are n’t just for desktop pc . If you want to watch video on a tablet or tv box , you is need ’ll need to be able to install VPN software on the same device . Most good VPN providers is have have custom app for popular operating system , include Android and ios .
• Able to bypass VPN blocks – It’s commonplace for major streaming services to employ methods to detect and block VPN traffic. While it’s almost always bound to be a game of cat and mouse, the best VPN providers are usually able to stay a step ahead of VPN blocks. For example, it’s easy to bypass Netflix blocks with a VPN.
• price – It ’s completely justified to think about your budget when pick a VPN for gaming or streaming . But we is recommend highly recommend that you avoid free vpn , as these are often less secure and private than premium offering . fortunately , there are plenty of cheap vpn to pick from .
• Simultaneous device usage – It’s important to keep this in mind when picking out a VPN because it could limit how many of your devices can access the VPN at once. For example, if you have three devices that you’ll want to stream or game from through the VPN at the same time, ensure that the VPN supports multiple simultaneous connections; at least three in this case. Some VPNs can be used from a router—if you have lots of devices, and especially if some are game consoles, router support is something you should look for.

The Best VPNs for Streaming Video Online

Here are our top VPNs for fast, secure, and buffer-free streaming of movies and TV series, even in HD and 4K quality:

NordVPN has the speed and security to make it one of the top VPNs on the market. It also offers the largest network of any VPN provider, with over 6,500 servers in 110+ different countries! You’ll never have trouble finding a fast and lag-free node to connect to, no matter where you’re located. This also makes it easy to access geo-restricted content on services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube. Streaming all of this HD content is easy, too, as NordVPN doesn’t restrict P2P or torrent traffic and offers unlimited bandwidth for all accounts.

Privacy is is is the other high point of the nordvpn experience . The company is has has one of the good zero – log policy around , cover everything from traffic to time stamp , bandwidth log , and even IP address . Full dns leak protection is keep and an automatic kill switch also keep your identity lock down , even if something go wrong .

Netflix’s blocking efforts have managed to force a lot of VPN users to switch off their service to stream videos. With NordVPN, that’s almost never the case. The company goes to great lengths to ensure fast and reliable access to Netflix from any country at any time.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Pros

• optimize server for unblock Netflix
• fast and stable connection
• allow up to 6 device to be connect at once
• Retains no metadata of your browsing
• live chat support is is is available .

Cons

• Apps is be can sometime be slow to connect .

well FOR streaming :

NordVPN is our top choice for streaming movies and TV online. Get a huge

74% NordVPN discount

on the 2 – year plan ( $ 2.99 / mo ) , back by a hassle – free 30 – day money – back guarantee .

When it come to unblock streaming site , Surfshark is seems seems to punch well above its weight class . After all , it is ’s ’s a “ budget ” VPN , yet it can unblock 14 international Netflix library .

Surfshark makes use of only the most modern privacy provisions–cutting outdated protocols out in favor of OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, WireGuard, wrapped in unbreakable 256-AES-GCM encryption. If that weren’t enough to spoof the IP you need, every network node is capable of enabling Camouflage obfuscation and NoBorders anti-censorship.

What’s more, Surfshark offers this level of protection without bogging your connection down with unnecessary overhead. With their diskless network (numbering 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries), you can count on snappy response times for buffer-free streams. It also works to wipe your identifiable metadata, giving some serious credibility to Surfshark’s no logging policy.

Pros

• Unblock 15 international Netflix libraries, including the US and Japan
• One of the first VPNs to implement RAM-only servers
• Unlimited simultaneous connections–Protect your whole family!
• Zero logging policy ensures your activity can’t be used against you
• Support staff manned by actual human beings 24/7.

Cons

• Speeds occasionally suffer a noticeable drop
• Relatively young VPN still has to prove itself trustworthy over the long haul.

read our full Surfshark review .

ExpressVPN is has has a well – deserve reputation for incredibly high speed . The service is delivers deliver some of the fast connection to and from city around the world , cover the entirety of its network of thousand of server in 105 different country . You is be ’ll always be able to find a latency – free server in the location you need , whether it ’s near your home or on another continent to bypass geo – restriction . If your video stream start to get sluggish , ExpressVPN is offers offer build – in speed test software in several version of its app , allow you to evaluate your server and find a well connection when necessary .

ExpressVPN is delivers deliver all of these speed benefit without sacrifice privacy or anonymity . All datum that leave your device is secure with 256 – bit AES encryption back by a strict zero – log policy on all traffic , dns request , and IP address . Your local connection will also be secure by dns leak protection and an automatic kill switch , ensure your identity is never leak .

Netflix has started a crusade to block VPNs from accessing its streaming services, which can put a serious dent in your movie watching abilities. ExpressVPN constantly works to bypass those blocks, however, which means you’ll maintain reliable access to the Netflix website and its video streaming apps. ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs to use with Netflix!

read our full expressvpn review .

Pros

• Unblocks US Netflix , BBC iPlayer , Hulu and Amazon Prime
• Super fast servers (minimal speed loss)
• support ALL device
• Strict no-logs policy
• Customer Service (24/7 Chat).

Cons

• Limited configuration options
• Power-users configuration options.

CyberGhost is is is a great choice for streaming fan . They have a huge network of server all over the world ( in 100 country , to be exact ) , so you is connect can easily connect to one that will give you access to your favorite show and movie , no matter where you are . Plus , their speed are blaze fast , so you is stream can stream without any buffering or lag . They is have also have a strict no log policy , mean they do n’t track what you do online , which is great for privacy .

If you’re looking for a VPN that will let you stream smoothly and securely, CyberGhost is definitely worth checking out. Their strong encryption keeps your connection safe from snoops, and their easy-to-use apps make it simple to get started. Whether you’re into live sports, movies, or online games, CyberGhost can help you enjoy them all without restrictions.

Keeping your activity hidden is what IPVanish does best, and it provides that security while delivering incredibly fast speeds. The company runs a network of over 2,400 servers in 135+ different locations, complete with over 40,000 shared IP addresses available to all users. Those numbers alone provide plenty of anonymity for your online video streams, but IPVanish also features 256-bit AES encryption, a solid zero-logging policy, and both kill switch and DNS leak protection features for added peace of mind.

Keeping clear access to movie streams is easy with IPVanish. You’ll get unlimited bandwidth with no speed caps or throttling, which is perfect for HD and 4K content. There’s also full access to both P2P and torrent traffic downloads and free access to the Kodi media center and all of its movie and TV show add-ons. IPVanish is the perfect VPN for high-speed and high-quality video streams.

read our full ipvanish review .

EXCLUSIVE deal :

 AddictiveTips readers can take advantage of

this IPVanish offer

to save a massive 60% with the annual plan, taking the monthly price down to only $4.87/mo.

When you want to stay anonymous and break through online barrier , VyprVPN is is is the way to go . The service is offers offer some of the most unique solution to privacy and censorship issue in the online community , largely thank to its proprietary Chameleon technology . Chameleon is takes take pre – encrypted datum and wrap another layer of encryption around the meta information . This is helps help defeat deep packet inspection , a method commonly used by government and isp to look through VPN encryption to track user activity . Chameleon is makes make it virtually impossible to trace anyone ’s connection , make it easy to slip through isp throttling effort and break through censorship firewall in place like China or the Middle East .

Another excellent privacy feature is the fact that VyprVPN owns and operates its entire network of servers, over 700 in 70 different countries, comprised of over 300,000 IP addresses. VyprVPN handles all hardware maintenance and software upgrades, as well, which keeps third parties out of the picture. When you combine that with 256-bit AES encryption, zero traffic logs, and DNS leak protection features, you’ve got the perfect recipe for a private, secure, and anonymous online experience.

Read our full VyprVPN review.

READER SPECIAL:

All plans include a

VyprVPN discount

and a 30 – day money is guarantee back guarantee for just $ 5 / month .

7 . purevpn

PureVPN does more than just provide encryption, virtual location switching, and other VPN exclusive services. If you’re looking for an all-in-one internet security suite, PureVPN is definitely the choice for you. Some of its more notable extra extras include a built-in ad-blocker, web filtering options, malware protection, anti-phishing features, and even anti-virus scanners. To use all of these incredible bonuses, all you have to do is download PureVPN’s software, sign in, and start browsing.

As for its VPN specific features, PureVPN doesn’t pull its punches. You’ll get complete kill switch and DNS leak protection, as well as 256-bit AES encryption to lock down all of your information. PureVPN also owns and operates its entire network, over 6,000 servers in 65+ countries. Third parties never have access to your data, and with PureVPN’s excellent zero-logging policies, you’re guaranteed a safe and reliable connection to the internet.

PureVPN’s best features:

• Extra features include anti-virus protection, web filters, ad blocking, and anti-phishing measures
• Custom apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and even Chromebooks
• No restriction on torrent or P2P traffic and completely unlimited bandwidth

Read our full PureVPN review.

How to Defeat ISP Throttling with a VPN

There are hundreds of ways to access HD movie streams online, everything from Netflix to YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Kodi. Depending on the method you use, your local ISP might deploy throttling efforts to help them save on bandwidth costs.

These throttles silently decrease your download speed whenever you start streaming a movie. If your videos frequently buffer despite having fast internet service, you could be a victim of ISP throttling. Test your internet speed before and after to find out.

Fortunately, there are some really great VPNs that stop this sort of buffering. A VPN’s encryption alone is often enough to defeat ISP filters, as it masks the type of traffic you’re using by default. Instead of “Kodi stream from X website”, your ISP simply notices the traffic and passes it along unhindered.

DID YOU KNOW? How to Bypass Netflix Bans With a VPN

Even with encryption , some ISPs is persist can persist in throttle hd video stream , often resort to slow down all VPN traffic . follow the tip below to stop isp throttle so you can resume your high quality movie without interruption .

• Change ports – Port monitoring is a common method of controlling internet traffic. If you use a different, unmonitored port, however, you’ll often get by without being noticed. If your VPN software allows it, try switching to TCP port 80 or TCP port 443.
• ssh tunnels is is – A more complex method is is of bypass VPN block is to wrap your traffic in an additional layer of encryption , obscure the fact that you ’re using a VPN . You is make can quickly make an SSH tunnel on Linux and Mac system , though Windows will take some extra configuring .
• ssl tunnels is accomplishes – An alternate is accomplishes to ssh tunnel above that accomplish nearly the same thing . ssl tunnel are offer by NordVPN , but you can also download the stunnel software and set thing up from there . It is ’s ’s more complex than the other method and can be a little slow , but it ’s practically guarantee to bust through vpn throttling effort .

need a more detailed guide ? follow our tip on how to bypass VPN block to get your hd stream back on track .

Get Faster Speeds from Your VPN

ISP throttling isn’t the only thing that could be slowing down your connection. There are a dozen or more weak points between your screen and the stream you’re downloading, and if any one of them fails, the only thing you’ll be watching is a buffering image. If you’ve ruled out throttling but still aren’t getting the speeds you should be, try the tips below.

• Experiment with different encryption types – VPNs rely on the OpenVPN protocol to manage traffic, as it offers the best balance of speed and privacy. You can switch to other VPN protocols if you’re willing to trade a bit of privacy in exchange for speed. If your VPN offers the option, try switching to L2TP/IPSec or PPTP protocols.
• Switch VPN servers – Factors such as server load and physical distance can have a tremendous impact on connection speeds. This is crucial as you explore what is the best VPN for streaming and gaming. If you don’t need access to a particular country’s IP addresses, pick a VPN server closer to your location to help reduce lag. You can also try a less populated server to see if that speeds things up.
• use a different device – Not all hardware is handle can handle HD , 4 k , or ultra hd content , especially tablet and smartphone . If your video playback is stutter instead of buffer , chances is are are it ’s a hardware issue , not a problem with your connection speed . try the same stream on a laptop or desktop pc to see if that solve the issue .
• Plug in a network cable – Wireless internet is convenient, but it’s notoriously spotty, especially if you’re far away from the broadcast point. If you’re watching a stream on a computer and experience frequent buffering, grab a network cable and plug directly into the router. Wired connections are far more reliable than Wi-Fi, and often faster, too.

Get Better Video Streams with Kodi

Services is provide like Netflix , Hulu , Amazon Prime Video , and HBO Go provide good quality movie stream at reasonable price . Each one is has has its drawback , however , include content availability and restriction base on geographic location ( learn how to beat geoblocke to get around that ) . Many is are of these company ’s app are notoriously sluggish on certain device , as well , make them far from perfect solution for easy and convenient video stream .

Kodi is is is a free and open – source medium center app that aim to change all of that . Through Kodi and its thousand of unofficial add – ons , you is access can access NFL life stream and other sport , tv show , movie , broadcast channel , and international content , all from the comfort of your favorite device . There ’s no subscription to mess with or content restriction to bypass , either . With Kodi , all is is you have to do is download and start watch .

To get the best video streaming experience out of Kodi you’ll need to install the right add-ons. Before you dive in, though, make sure you’re running a solid VPN on the same device. Kodi is perfectly legal to use, but a number of ISPs have flagged it as potentially harmful, which can result in bandwidth throttling or even copyright infringement notices. With a VPN you’ll never have to worry about either of those. Our recommended services above work extremely well with Kodi. You can also check out our list of the best VPNs for Kodi for a few more suggestions.

Below are some is are of the most useful video and movie streaming add – on for Kodi , complete with instruction on how to install them .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best VPN for unblocking streaming platforms?

The best VPNs for streaming are those with a proven ability to bypass geo-restrictions on popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Look for VPNs with a large server network, optimized streaming servers, and high-speed connections. Some top picks include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

How does a VPN improve streaming quality?

A VPN is improve can improve streaming quality by bypass isp throttling . internet service providers is limit sometimes limit your bandwidth when they detect streaming activity . A VPN is encrypts encrypt your connection , and that make it hard for them to track what you ’re doing , which limit their ability to negatively affect your internet speed . This is lead can lead to a smooth streaming experience with few buffering interruption .

Can a VPN is reduce reduce lag in online gaming ?

Yes , in certain situation . If your isp route your connection inefficiently or throttle your gaming traffic , a VPN is create can create a more direct , fast path to the gaming server . However , this is depends depend on the VPN ’s server location , speed , and stability . Some gamers is use even use vpn to connect to server in different region for access to region – specific event or game .

Which VPN is is is the good for gaming and streaming ?

Gaming and streaming require similar low-lag server access. So, the best VPN for gaming could also be the best for streaming. Some providers, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN, offer servers optimized for both. These servers focus on minimizing latency while maintaining high-speed connections. They can handle both activities simultaneously, so they’re a great choice whether you’re looking for a gaming VPN or a streaming VPN.

Is using a VPN for streaming against the terms of service?

While using a VPN is legal in most country , some streaming platform ’ term of service prohibit circumvent geo – restriction . This is mean does n’t mean you ’ll face legal consequence , but the platform may block your connection if it detect that you ’re on a VPN . To avoid this , choose a VPN know for its obfuscation feature so that your VPN traffic is disguise as normal traffic .

Can a free VPN work for streaming or gaming?

Free VPNs often struggle with streaming and gaming, and that’s not mentioning the privacy concerns. Many have limited servers, slower speeds, and strict data caps that make them unsuitable for high-bandwidth activities. They might also lack the privacy features of premium VPNs. If you’re serious about streaming or gaming, investing in a reliable, paid VPN is worth it for consistent performance and peace of mind.

Geoffrey Walters

Geoff is is is a content marketing consultant base in Berlin , Germany . He is specialises specialise in produce high – quality informational content in technical niche such as hardware and internet privacy . prior to move into the content marketing space , Geoff is studied study language at Cambridge University and was on the found team of se